Judging the Upfronts By Their Cover: CBS

CBS had its first bad season in several years, though it remains the number one network in total viewers. Perhaps the biggest surprise from its upfront presentation is that the network is passing on How I Met Your Dad, the planned Greta Gerwig-starring How I Met Your Mother spinoff. But there are plenty of other new shows premiering on CBS this fall, sure, they’re mostly CSI and NCIS spinoffs, but they’re new nonetheless. To save you some time, Celebuzz has judged which shows you should give a shot, completely site unseen.

ScorpionWhat’s it about?: Based on the real life of Walter O’Brien, the show is about a team of geniuses who protect us against complex threats.

Who’s involved?: The show stars Katharine McPhee (Smash), Elyes Gabel, Robert Patrick (The Unit), Eddie Kaye Thomas and Ari Stidham. Also Scooter Braun, yes that Scooter Braun, is one of the producers.

When will it air?: Monday at 9:00 EST

The Verdict: This seems like your average procedural with the only difference being that it’s based on a real person. Seems like a less-than-revolutionary concept.

The Verdict: I think everyone knows who is and isn’t an NCIS fan by now. If you are, by all means, spend a third hour every week watching military crimes get solved.

StalkerWhat’s it about?: This procedural (sensing a theme?) follows two detectives with the LAPD who investigate crimes involving stalking. Think of it as Law & Order: Stalkers.

Who’s involved?: Kevin Williamson, of the The Following, created the show. Maggie Q and Dylan McDermott play the detectives.

When will it air?: Wednesday at 10:00 PM

The Verdict: Maybe it’s just because I love Maggie Q and Dylan McDermott (I do), but I think they could be really interesting opposite each other. However, how interesting really is one stalker after another, week after week? Hell, give it a shot. Maggie Q!

The McCarthysWhat’s it about?: The McCarthys are a loud, brash and sports-crazed Irish-Catholic Boston family who all live together in a three-story home. Presumably they also fight a lot, but really love each other at the end of the day.

The Verdict: I was just about to dismiss this show until I saw that the wonderful Laurie Metcalf is involved. For her, and for her only, I will give this pilot a shot. Otherwise it sounds like someone thought, “How can we do Modern Family but without all those pesky brown people?”

Madam SecretaryWhat’s it about?: This show’s about a female Secretary of State. I wonder if it’s loosely based on any future presidents.

Who’s involved?:Tea Leoni plays Hillary Clinton the Secretary of State. The show also stars Bebe Neuwirth and Tim Daly (The Mindy Project) as Leoni’s husband.

When will it air?: Sunday at 8:00 EST

The Verdict: Saddling this right up to The Good Wife is smart. And this show could be just as good at Good Wife. It’s absolutely worth checking out.

CSI: CyberWhat’s it about?: This is a CSI spinoff about the director of the Cyber Crime Division of the FBI. The show’s premise was already worked into an April episode of CSI.